Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1887-10-26
BILL MARTIN.

farmer, and Walter Brownfeld had
been comrades in labor. Walter had
grown sunburned, and his once soft
hands had become hardened with toll.
Those who had predicted that the pale
slender youth could not endure the
fatigues of farm work, little knew the
power Of endurance in that delicate
frame.
Corn cutting was over. but the plow-
ing and sowing Of winter wheat and
general run OF chores kept the boys
and hired hams Of Mr.. Miles busy.
Walter armed that labor was not to
b. dread 4 30 much as he had sup
posed Ben Miles, with his droll wit,
lightcned their hours of toll The
youth found that be could sleep
sweeter after hard days work, and
each morning awoke with renewed
strength and vigor.
lie was intrusted with team and
permitted 90 do some Of the lighter
work, such as hauling from one por-
ton of the farm TO another.
IL was rule of Mr.. Miles. as it
should be of every good farmer, to lay
in his supply of winter wood I'm the
autumn. His vast forest land furnished
fuel. and John and Ben Miles, being
most expert with an axe, were to fell
the trees. and cut them into sticks the
proper size for the wagon, while Wal
ter was 90 haul them TO the house.
Walter found this labor even pleasant.
To see the great horses display their
giant strength in drawing heavy loads
OF wood was enough to excite the adj
miration and wonder Of any admirer
of horse flesh.
One day he was returning from the
forest with large load of wood on his
wagon. The path he was travelling
was what he called woods road. or
sometimes "blind road" IL was used
only in drawing wood from the forest.
which was about once year. The re-
mainder of the time it was permitted to
grow up in weeds and brush.
Walters mind had reverted TO his
past life. and TO one sad event especial
~. lie began TO feel that he was
mystery to the good people among
whom he was thrown. His past his
tory he could not reveal without
blush upon his cheek.
In this rural district as a farm hand
he hoped to live in quiet seclusion free
from the vile ISLANDERS of the busy
world. He felt that his quiet unassuin-
ing manners were winning a place i'm
the hearts of the people with whom his
lot was east. He could be happy here
il he could only forget the bitter wrong
that had been done him. But, try as
he would. the recollection of il was
ever uppermost i'm his mind. 1t was
not with a degree of hatred or malice
that the memory of the wrong re-
manned Mt his breast, but with feeling
OF sorrow, regret and humiliation.
Other emotions stirred his soul at times.
The story might follow him; and the
humiliation would be ten-fold greater.
The wealthy farmer would either dis
charge him and send him once more on
his wanderings or else he would be os-
tracised by the family circle and re-
garded with suspicion. This he could
not brook, and he had determined in
case of such discovery to once more go
into voluntary exile.
A man came out of the woods and
stood in the roul few rods in advance
of the horses. lie was burly fellow,
strong, heavy-set, with dark tangled
hair and short beard. A face that in
Dictated long exposure TO wind and
weather. also that the possessor of il
was addicted to strong drink. He was
dressed in rough garb, half farmer
and half tramp. His pantaloons were
patched on the knees, and his weather
beaten hat had hole in the crown.
He was certainly not very progresses
ing in his appearance, and a character
no one would care to meet in lonely
forest road.
Walter trembled in spite Of himself.
Although there was nothing apparently
hostile about the man, he dreaded
meeting him. The meeting could not
be averted, for the stranger coolly
folded his arms on his breast and
waited till the team came up There
was a grin on the strangers face which
he intended for an assuring smile.
Good mornin'," said the strange
man, his grin deepening as the team
halted opposite him.
Good morning, sir" returned
Walter.
Pleasant day fur teamin'w
VERY good. sir. said Walter.
''You work for Mr.. Miles. guess?"
eyes, sir.
eyer names Walter Broynheld9"
''Yes. sir, and as you know mine,
will you be so kind as to inform me
what yours Tsp"
81 am Bill Martin, an I work for
Jack Hawkins, who lives on the farm
jinin' with Mr.. Miles on the road to
Bushville.m
II am glad to get acquainted with
YOU, Mr. Martini" said Walter, 'but
you must excuse me now as my time is
not my own; l must be going"
"Hold; don't be in q hurry, Walter"
said Bill. extending one hand toward
the bit OF the horse nearest him. "them
animals Is tired. so ye better let 'em
blow or old Miles III cuss n streak"
Walter. who was In the act OF start
ing up the team. paused and gazed in
wonder at the man. Bill, with that
strange grin on his face, said:
eye come from Queenstown, didn't
''Y-yes," stammcred the youth. turn
ing pale and trembling.
''Didn't you used TO clerk for Brew
ster." For y moment Walter was
wholly unable to answer, but pit length
stammcrcd.
'I-I did"
81 thought you was tho same 'un,"
and the grin deopened on Bills face.
An awkward silence followed, Walter
looked helpless. MS though he would
fall from the wagon, and Bill Martin
gazcd ON him rs bird Of prey might
gaze on a victim I'm easy reach. AT
length Walter determining to know
the worst, summoned up all his rcso-
luton and asSedy
care you an officerf"
Bill shook his head.
"a detective thenp II so, there Is no
need of quizzing me. II the law wants
me at Queenstown / am ready to 90.
Bill laughed loud, coarse laugh.
''Do 1 look like an officer, or n detec-
tivcP Hal hal hal Well that's good
'un.n
"Then, sir. be so kind as to explain
YOURSELF said Walter, with no little